Getting bun into cage

[Cloud]

I have a nice 4×2 cage for my bunny with a hiding spot, hay, litter, water, toys, even treats. I let him out once and it it IMPOSSIBLE to get him back into his cage. I’ve tried herding (he runs away because he knows whats going on), treats (he follows them up until the cage and when i drop it in the cage or hold it too far in he just runs away), picking up (he flails when he sees the cage). I got him a week ago and I let him out once and could not get him back in for 3 days now. His food and water is there and he hasn’t been going back.. even for that. My bunny has his favourite “corner” of my house. So I currently have him trapped in his corner with the cage in front of the only exit. I got big piece of cardboard to try to “herd” him into the cage. He just digs under the cardboard and runs back to the farthest corner. He needs to eat and needs water. He is trying to dig everywhere to try to escape. I just need him in there for one night. I don’t like leaving him unattended at night unknowing of what he will do. I’m at the point where I am considering scaring him into the cage and regaining his trust tomorrow. I don’t want to do that but if there is a different alternative, please let me know. This is becoming an extremely stressful routine. Thanks! 

P.S I am getting him an exercise pen tomorrow. 

[Cloud]

Update: he is now thumping at me for trapping him there. He is no longer phased by my “herding” cardboard. 

[Mikey]

Dont scare him, that will only make it worse. He will see the cage as a threatening thing instead of a place he should find relaxing and safe. I would put his favorite greens and/or treats in there then walk away. Watch the cage to see if he goes in, but dont go over there until he is in the cage

[Cloud]

I have hay, his favourite fruit, and a bowl of mixed greens and veggies in there and he still won’t go in! It has been almost 3 hours. 

[Love4Bunny]

Does he have access to the whole house? You might have accidentally given him too much freedom right off the bat. Start with giving him freedom for one room and then gradually increase it to include the other rooms. This will also be easier for litterbox training if you plan on doing that. Don’t scare him. It’s hard to gain a rabbits trust. Try to slowly pet him from afar (use a tiny piece of fruit he can’t resist) and when you are close enough, gently but securely pick him up, supporting his haunches and bum. In the end, that is much less stressful on the rabbit, though he will hate it anyway – that is a normal rabbit response. But don’t chase him or anything. He might need more play time (the cardboard playhouses on here are awesome & I recommend one of those for bunny boredom). When you get the expen, give him some alone time to get used to his new home. Then, use cardboard to block off the areas in the room where he can get stuck. Once you’ve rabbit proofed your room, you can let him free and just sit on the floor for a while (you just read a book or play on your phone) and wait for him to come up to you. It’s tedious, but that’s how you begin to bond with your rabbit.

[Author]

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